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Will Orkney go for a 15% council tax rise? Orkney councillors back 15% council tax rise
(about 3 hours later)
A decision on Orkney's council tax will be made on Tuesday A decision on Orkney's council tax has been made
Councillors in Orkney are set to decide if they will proceed with a 15% increase in council tax. Councillors in Orkney have backed a 15% increase in council tax.
The biggest agreed percentage increase in Scotland so far has been in Clackmannanshire, with a 13% rise. The 15% rise was passed by 15 votes to six at a meeting of the full Orkney Islands Council, defeating an amendment for a lower rise of 11%.
Last week, Orkney councillors narrowly voted 11-10 in favour of proposing 15%, and that is going to full council on Tuesday. The biggest agreed percentage increase in Scotland so far had been in Clackmannanshire, with a 13% rise.
However, it is possible that could be overturned, as an amendment for a lower 11% rise has been tabled. Councillors in Orkney will receive pay increases of 22% from next month, as part of changes across the country agreed by the Scottish government.
It comes as councillors in Orkney will receive pay increases of 22% from next month, as part of changes across the country agreed by the Scottish government. Councillor Heather Woodbridge, the leader of Orkney Islands Council, put forward the 15% recommendation.
Island councillors are trying to balance the need to raise revenue with protecting services against cuts. She said no-one wanted to put the public under pressure and the rise was about finding the right balance.
At a 15% increase, council tax for a Band D property would be £1,574.60 She said 15% rather than 11% would bring in a "significant" amount of extra money.
At 11%, it would take the council tax to £1,519.82. Councillor Steven Heddle moved the amendment to go for 11% rather than the proposed 15%.
He said in his 18 years as a councillor he had never seen people so angry.
"Life is about people and the people have spoken," he said.
Island councillors were trying to balance the need to raise revenue with protecting services against cuts.
At a 15% increase, council tax for a Band D property will be £1,574.60
At 11%, it would have instead taken the council tax to £1,519.82.
The difference between 11% and 15% is £1.05 per week for band D households.The difference between 11% and 15% is £1.05 per week for band D households.
Councils have been setting council tax levels
Each 1% rise on the council tax equates to £115,000 for the authority.Each 1% rise on the council tax equates to £115,000 for the authority.
With councillors voting on a 4% difference, that amounts to a potential extra £460,000. With councillors voting on a 4% difference, that amounted to a potential extra £460,000.
An online petition against the potential higher 15% rise has gathered more than 1,000 signatures. An online petition against the potential higher 15% rise gathered more than 1,000 signatures.
Councillors will meet from 10:30 to decide which option to take. Morven Brooks, from Voluntary Action Orkney, expressed concern
Morven Brooks from Voluntary Action Orkney (VAO) expressed concern about the rise.
She described a 15% council tax increase, coupled with funding uncertainties, as placing organisations in a "precarious position, potentially affecting the most vulnerable members of our community".
"The third sector serves as a lifeline for many in Orkney, especially during these challenging times," the VAO chief executive said.
Councillors in Aberdeenshire, Moray and Shetland have all already backed a 10% increase in council tax.Councillors in Aberdeenshire, Moray and Shetland have all already backed a 10% increase in council tax.
Aberdeen - with officials recommending 11% - will decide on its rise on Wednesday.Aberdeen - with officials recommending 11% - will decide on its rise on Wednesday.